This is a prime example of a book that perhaps I wouldn't have chosen based on someone's description, the title or reading the blurb on the back cover - even though that blurb starts with the quite intriguing words: 'Beware the villainous old ladies'.
Here's my review...
Duncan Versus the Googleys Poor Duncan has such a dense cloud of doom hovering over his head when he should be excited about summer break but his business-minded parents have plans & he has to stay with his great aunt. He has his very own brand new phone which he'd normally be unreservedly passionate about but the inescapable gloom outweighs any tiny glimmer of excitement. Being unceremoniously delivered - dumped - with his great aunt, Summer break doesn't start well, but Duncan's pessimistic outlook worsens as he thinks nothing good could possibly happen in an old folks home called Arthritis Hall! Ursula, the caretaker's daughter, is an expert when it comes to knowing about the secret, cobweb lined walls that allow her to travel invisibly around the huge old building. A tiny corner of it is her dark, messy, depressing home but the rest of it is a real-life multi-roomed game board providing escape from her newspaper blankets. She is the one who opens Duncan's eyes & sparks his interest. Maybe this summer won't be so bad. Duncan expects bingo, knitting and people with false teeth eating soft fruit jelly sweets but wait ... THIS home has its own helipad! Why? They discover empty rooms, mysterious boxes stored all over the place & scheming octogenarians with criminal plans. Defying the norm, these old folk have even embraced the modern computer world but with shocking, unexpected intentions. The global reach of computer games, instant communication & fun melts together with the crackpot, menacing schemes hatched by grannies & their quivering, aged recruits. Have you ever wondered how people come up with such exciting ideas? THIS book is where they've all been mixed into a huge pot together & the result is an amazing adventure story of crazy-epic proportions! The names of places & some characters - especially the cat (you'll have to read it to find out!) - add an extra smile when your mind is already so excited & curious. So many unique & quirky elements to this book - its adventures & characters - but it's the first time I've been warned 1/2 way through Chapter 1 that the story is 'twisted, devious & peculiar... and if you prefer things to plod along & be predictable, this sin't the book for you' & goes on to suggest, 'you go do something useful instead, like sorting out your socks' ! It was definitely a first for me. Clever, though. I absolutely had to keep reading. Anything can happen when scheming minds meet with new technology! Kate Milner's debut middle grade book is a fun, compelling, truly mind-boggling adventure. A complete treat for the imagination. Bravo x 10